The Third-Century Crisis

The Crisis of the Third Century (235–284 CE) nearly killed Rome early. In just 50 years, the empire saw over 26 claimants to the throne. Civil wars, plagues, and economic collapse brought it to its knees before Emperor Diocletian managed to stabilize things — temporarily.

Gibbon's Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1776–1789) blamed Christianity and a loss of civic virtue. Modern historians point instead to fiscal collapse, climate change, and Hun-driven migrations from the east.